Sisters builder honored by COBA

Glenn Miller of G.J. Miller Construction Co. was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award Construction of the Central Oregon Builders Association at the annual COBA awards gala on January 17.

G.J. Miller Construction Co. has been a member of COBA for more than 30 years. The award was given in honor of the company's decades of quality commercial and residential building, and also in recognition of Miller's donation of his time and equipment to enhance the Sisters Rodeo.

COBA Executive Vice President Tim Knopp notified Miller of the honor in November.

"I didn't have a clue it was coming," Miller told The Nugget. "The first reaction I had to him was "I'm not done yet for cryin' out loud!'"

Still, he said, "It was quite an honor. I appreciated it."

Miller has built some of the most recognizable buildings in Sisters, including Stitchin' Post, Hoyt's Hardware & Building Supply and Sisters Recycling Center. But primarily, G.J. Miller Construction is known for top-quality custom home construction.

"I just like doing quality work," Miller told The Nugget in an extensive interview for the Sisters Oregon Guide. "At the end of the day, when the job is done, you can take some self-satisfaction: This is what we created."

Miller first came to Sisters in 1973 with his partner Dick Nichol.

"That summer we came over just to frame a couple of houses and pour some foundations at Black Butte Ranch," Miller recalled. "We ended up staying all summer."

Miller fell in love with Sisters Country.

"I just love the area," he said. "Friendly people; good people."

Miller moved to the area permanently and eventually started his own company. He's weathered good times and bad, with an abiding faith in the community.

Miller's passion for rodeo put him in the saddle as president of the Sisters Rodeo Association for 16 years. Under his leadership, the Sisters Rodeo has maintained and enhanced its reputation as "The Biggest Little Show in the World," bringing top cowboys and top stock to Sisters.

He is still volunteering with the rodeo association and is still in the construction business.

"I look forward to getting my next million-dollar project," he said.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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